Travel agents are like interior decorators. They don't work for a flat fee, they work on commission based on what you spend, and the additional costs are rolled into what they offer you, so it's opaque and you'll never clearly know that you paid more.

I work for a major local hotel company. (Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, etc.) The rates we sell through travel agents are 10% more than what you get by booking it directly, because they make a commission on those sales and doing the booking/bundling leg work for you.

Use tripadvisor forums for good advice on where to go (free) and then just book it all online yourself. If you search for airfare for your dates via Google flights, and then accommodations based on a major chain, that's 70-80% of the trip planning. The rest is food and activities which can be booked much closer to the travel date.

Anonymous wrote:Tell me you're over 60 without telling me you're over 60. Nobody uses "travel agents" anymore. Should we start recommending our milkmen as well?

I'm 51 and have a milkman. I use South Mountain Creamery and they deliver farm-fresh milk, butter, cheese to my doorstep every Wednesday.

If you think high end travel agents don’t have special access, relationships with hoteliers and suppliers that the general public doesn’t, you are sorely mistaken. A good travel agent saves you the one thing you cannot make more of, time. They are also there when things go wrong.

Trust me, those who DIY don’t hurt their business at all. They are also the ones that balk at a high fee quoted when they are asked to fix the diy mistake.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband, free. You don’t need a travel agent in 2022z

Tell me why you believe that?

I agree with this even though I have used high end travel agents a number of times. It is because I know the sort of "experiences" they set us up with that I am now able to search and find the same sort of accommodations and experiences on my own - plus I take recommendations from many of our friends that travel. Yes it is a little work, but we travel often and my husband likes to book the air travel and train tickets himself to get his points and upgrades. The exception would be a trip to Africa or the Far East - places I have never been where I am less familiar - in that case I would use a travel agent. There is no "magic" access to hotels or properties or experiences - they are available if you know where to look and do your research. And if a firm does claim that they have special access to activities do you really want to show up to something that is a bunch of UMC Americans? Not me!

Anonymous wrote:My husband, free. You don’t need a travel agent in 2022z

Tell me why you believe that?

My husband, free. You don’t need a travel agent in 2022z

We love Carla, have used her for years. She has never failed us from Australia to Europe to the Galapagos. Not only does she book it but she calls ahead to make sure things are ready for you. If there are problems she will help sort it. We've never paid her a penny. https://www.travelleaders.com/travel_agent/agent-details.aspx?id=6786

Anonymous wrote:Tell me you're over 60 without telling me you're over 60. Nobody uses "travel agents" anymore. Should we start recommending our milkmen as well?

I’m in my mid 30s and I clicked on this thread because I’m very interested in a return to using travel agents. And I do have a milkman: Instacart.

So many tourist traps these days… would love a rec for a travel agent who specializes in France (already been to Paris so looking beyond that). Suggestions?

Only responding to who uses. My travel agent handled all of the paperwork when we for the first time opted to buy and then due to a death in the family had to use our travel insurance. We give her the parameters and she give us choices saving me hours. I know how to plan a 2 week multi stop trip in Europe, but I also am super happy to let someone else do it.

Ciao Bambino or Luxe Recess for kid travel. It’s expensive but well worth it.

We used Palm Beach Travel to book a complicated European tour with various ages and travel needs. The fee was @ $250 if I recall and they helped us maximize our airline miles and Amex points.

Zicasso - will the agents book airbnbs or is it only hotel accommodations due to commissions they receive for bookings? I want to go to either Croatia or Greece for our next Summer vacation but I really do not want to PM this trip the way I do all our other trips..but I really like boutique/comfortable lodging - I almost never stay at hotels anymore just VRBO/Airbnbs for the amount of room we are able to get.

After recent lot travelling overseas I am starting to think a travel agent is a good idea going forward.

The Zicasso site is great for finding good travel agents. Used them for 6 different trips and they have all been great.